The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-03-04
CHAPTER XXI.

Grant Boyle, his face absolutely livid,
comes straight into the center of the
room. The glaring chandelier betrays the
deadly pallor of his face, the cold CLEAN
in his eyes. He has had sufficient time,
during the troubled words that passed
between his mother and Nadine to under
stand that the game has been played out
and lost. He might still deny, give oath on
OATH put all to the touc !, and defy actual
discovery; but to what end? Who would
believe him innocent among those with
whom he cares to associate, even Should
the law absolve himY In the ftturc the
fate Of the outcast, the leper, should be his.
She would be the chief witness for The
prosecutions-she, with her soft voice, her
pure eyesl What chance would he have
against her, even though judge and jury
acquit him? His world would believe in
her. And it is this same voice that has
betrayed him-the dearest voice on earth
to himl
He goes slowly up to the girl who has
ruined him and lays his hand upon her
shoulder. For the moment it seems he
has forgotten that there is any one in the
world but her.
"Youl-you hereP" he says.
There is immeasurable surprise but no
anger in his tone; his glance dwells upon
her lingeringly, tenderly as ever. Ha is
lost in one of the old dreams. 1t is his
last
"Tell them" entreats Nadine eagerly.
"They have been imagining dreadful
things. told them you were returning
to England soon, but did not know it
would be tonight. Paul, let them know
at once-at once-how those stones came
into your possession"
In her extreme anxiety, she lays her
hand upon his arm. Duran makes move
ment toward her, but Massareene, by
gesture, stops him.
"You still believe in me, then?' says
Boyle, in Il curious tone. "You have had
faith all through You have never under
stoodY'
81 do not understand now,n cries the
girl nervously. "Oh what is thisi' She
shrinks from him and presses her hand
against her heart. "Why do you not
speak," she cries again atfrightedly
Zone word will reassure me. Yet you
are silent. How pale you are What hor-
rible thing am to learns Lady Valworth
has called you her son. Oh surely that
isn-
"Madness on the part of Lady Val
worth, " interruts he, with short laugh.
"To disown me would have been her wiser
plan"
"What IS this you sayY" cries Nadine,
in low voice, faint, Mortified. "You do
not deny that you are Grant Boyle?'
"No.n
"You are not, then, Paul Annerley9"
"That's true"
Nadine staggers back from him, and
presses her hands to her forehead as if in
pain.
"And what of this, sir2" demands Sir
Thomas, coming forward.
He has lost all his pompousness, his
magisterial air has deserted him, He looks
old, distressed, shocked Every now and
then he glances back to where his wife Is
sitting, with her arms thrown upon the
table near her and her head lying hum
bled upon them. He has taken up The
sapphire pendant, and holds it out to
Grant, Boyle upon 4 shaking palm.
"You-did you give this to Miss
Roche?'
"Iiss Roche has said So"
The tone is contemptuous; the glance
that accompanies it rather more SO
"And-Lady Valworth $ diamond cross
that this young lady wore last night"
Sir Thomas voice is even more tremu-
lous now. He would gladly have spared
this; but it is better the truth should be
at once known, if possible.
81 gave that also to Miss Roche"
There is o pause, startling because OF
the intensity of the silence that masks it.
1t is broken at last by Grant,, He bursts
into laughter-light reckless, defiant,
"The game is up" he says. "Miss
Roche has forged the first link of the
chain of evidence against me; the rest
should be easily made | shall save you
all trouble by giving you the exact facts
gratis. | took the diamonds. took also
the sapphres. Hal my pretty cousinr
turning his handsome head to where Mil
Hcent is standing, and laughing gayly.
"As often as you acted with me in private
theatrlcals, you little guessed how well
could sustain part, even difficult one,
II threw my whole will into it. must
apologize to you for that handkerchief
by the way. | could have wished it were
finer one; but an actor must be perfect
even in the minor details, and burglar
should not be acquainted with cambric, =
Here Massarecne makes dash forward
but is restrained by Duran,
"Let us hear him out, entreats the lat
ter wisely,
"Don't waste your superfiuous energy
| on me, Massareene, says Boyle, lightly
"Im not good enough"
"Keep it And after all am hardly
rival, My charming cousin cared for IN,
rs | cared for her, | had no intention
whatsoever of deprlying you of her."
"You are damned scoundrel' say
Massareene, finging off Duran, and ad
| vancing to Boyle his face white with rage
"Beyond doubt" replies the other, witt
| shrug.
| "Stand back Gerald. Why should yol
handy words with such as himSn says Mis-
| Grey, in a cold, naughty tone. A stel
| places her between the two men.
| $50, sirl' she says, addressing Grant
"while holding openly to your engagement
with me, and declaring it loudly to tn
world, You were carrying on an intrigu
| under false name-of which this gin
was 10 be the victimp
Far from itl' replies her cousin coolly
| "You We're TO be the victim | had N
4 Intention whatsoever Of marrying you.